Welcome to the reunion! After a wildly-delayed studio recording, Supriya and Deepanjana catch up to discuss their reading highlights from 2025. It was an unusually brilliant year for Indian fiction in English, diving into powerful examinations of deep familial ties and modern loneliness. The Lit Pickers exchange notes on Arundhati Roy’s dazzling “Mother Mary Comes to Me”, Jeet Thayil’s genre-blurring “The Elsewhereians”, Rahul Bhattacharya's masterful “Railsong” and its nuanced portrayal of working women navigating freedom, and much more.

Read Supriya’s brilliant review of “Mother Mary Comes to Me” here.

If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out this link

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

We are back with a very special episode where a reviewer is being reviewed! Supriya interviews her co-host and friend, Deepanjana Pal, about her newly-published novel, “Lightning in a Shot Glass”. Originally written to blow off steam during the pandemic, Deepanjana pulled this story out of her bottom drawer last year, serving up a romantic comedy that makes you laugh, cry, and get a little hot under the collar. From the challenges of writing credible Indian English dialogue to crafting fantastical, sexy men who still feel real, The Lit Pickers dish on the mechanics of writing a wildly enjoyable book.

If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out this link

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

It’s that time of the year again where we answer all your pressing questions and give our hot (and sometimes curmudgeonly) takes. Mae takes the reins as she poses an array of audience questions to Deepanjana and Supriya, about the world of books, sometimes food, other times film, and everything in between. From how to write a good book review to pet peeves about moral posturing, to books about critical theory and radical feminist discourse, The Lit Pickers are here to solve your predicaments. They also discuss book clubs, audiobooks, the joy of gifting books, and how sometimes there are cosmic forces at play to help you find a book. Sometimes stumped by questions, other times excited, and always collectively fangirling over authors, listen to Deepanjana and Supriya talk about what is their cup of tea and when they would rather have some filter coffee instead.

We're going on a brief summer holiday. Be back before you know it. If you miss us before then, please dive into our archive, or reach out to us on @supriyanair and @dpanjana on Instagram.

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LpXFqHm2AcvzDJLEHK5LQNqoVlNqNGTT_tA6paaQITs/edit?gid=1300752686#gid=1300752686

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week Deepanjana and Supriya are in the studio trying to unpack solutions of how to find a good book to read. From childhood rituals to serendipitous discoveries, they explore the various ways in which readers can stumble upon their next literary adventure. They also talk about the discipline and patience required to cultivate a lifelong reading habit, as well as their unwavering belief in the universe's role in providing the right reads at the right time. From finding suggestions at gatherings in parks, to digital rabbit holes ranging from Twitter to podcasts, they talk about what it is that makes them pick one recommendation over the other. They also ponder the role of kind friends and neighbourhood bookstores in shaping one's perception of a book, and so much more!

You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week, Deepanjana and Supriya explore the world of adaptation and intellectual property. From discussing the portrayal of Japan in Western literature to analyzing the adaptation of "Shogun," they delve into the complexities of representation and storytelling. They also examine the creative approaches in film adaptations, highlighting the need for imagination and sensitivity, and the impact of cultural appropriation. They emphasise the value of fresh thinking and out-of-the-box ideas in creating something new and exciting, and how a character's race and background can be reimagined in a way that is both faithful to the original and relevant to modern audiences. Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of storytelling in literature and media - with some appreciation and a lot of woes.

You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Geek out on this episode of The Lit Pickers as we dive into the world of Dune, exploring both the beloved book and the recent film adaptations. From dissecting the intricate universe created by Frank Herbert to sharing their thoughts on Denis Villeneuve's cinematic interpretation, we leave no sand dune unturned. Join the conversation as we discuss everything from character development to cultural conflicts Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to take you through the sands of Arrakis and unite literature nerds and film geeks alike!

You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.

Tune into the Nerditorium podcast or find them on Instagram @geekfruithq. They are:

Dinkar Dwivedi

Jishnu Guha

Tejas Menon

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: http://bit.ly/thelitpickersbooks

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Tune in to The Lit Pickers as Supriya and Deepanjana engage in a delightful conversation with journalist and writer, Raghu Karnad. Join us as Raghu shares his journey of curating an Instagram archive for his father, the late and great Girish Karnad, who was an actor, film director, writer, playwright and a Jnanpith awardee. From exploring Girish Karnad's multifaceted career to reflecting on Raghu's personal connection with his father's work, we unravel the complexities of archiving the work of a beloved figure. Dive into a discussion about Girish Karnad's legacy, the challenges of preserving a cultural heritage, and the power of theatre and literature in shaping societal discourse.

You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.

Find the Instagram archive for Girish Karnad @worldofgirishkarnad

If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in.

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: http://bit.ly/thelitpickersbooks

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

In this episode of The Lit Pickers, Deepanjana and Supriya explore the nuanced world of words and governance. They dissect the political landscapes of South Asian fiction and reflect on the power of literature to address serious issues and challenge social norms. From fiction written by political leaders, to literature inspired by democracy, join them as they discuss fiction's role during times of uncertainty, the risk it runs against a flattening of identities, and the degrees of political overtones that it carries.

You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.

We’re doing an AMA episode soon! If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at contact@maed.in

For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: http://bit.ly/thelitpickersbooks

This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni

Producer: Meghna Gulati

Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram

Artwork: Alika Gupta

Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You